2026/27 Ins & Outs Discussion

[weeyin]

3 hours ago, Kmcalpin said:

You'd think that JBA and Nick Daws would have identified areas to be strengthened some months ago and probably as early as January (central defence, Slattery replacement and a striker). Not only that, surely targets would have been identified and perhaps PCAs signed some time ago. Has JBA's departure disrupted that process despite what the club has said?   

I thought the chairman said Nick Daws and team and been working and to expect a couple of signings in the next few days. 

He also said he wanted to give the new man "space to bring in his own signings".

I'm pretty sure professional managers and coaches whose livelihoods depend on winning games are well aware of positions that need strengthening. 

As always, finding the right players for the right price who want to play in Motherwell is what takes time. 

[WellHighlander]

Seeing a lot of talk regarding what fees we'd get for selling the likes of Watt, Maswanhise, and Just.

For Watt, I'd be looking around £2.5m (£3m with add-ons). Had he forced his way into the Scotland reckoning, then you'd be looking at a bit more.

Understand Anderlecht offered around £3m for Maswanhise in January. Reports were they were going to come back with a larger bid this summer, potentially £3.5m (around £4m when you factor in add-ons)

I really think for Just you are looking around a minimum starting figure of £7.5m given what he not only achieved with us last season, but also at the World Cup. He's a player whose stock is only rising, therefore it would be a real shame, I think, if he went for £4-5m. With add-ons you could get this deal up to around £9m.

Be really hard to take to watch all three go, but if they do we must maximise this opportunity to really strengthen the club's financial position for years to come.

It also gives the new manager a promising budget to work with and to make the necessary replacements.

Again, I know some are 'doom and gloom' regarding potential departures, but look at Bournemouth. It's all about the right recruitment and I'd be really surprised if they had not identified potential targets to replace all of the above, given how much interest they've been attracting for a while now.

 

[numpty]

Maswanhise not travelling to Denmark, I see...

EDIT: Ah, never mind, he got skelped in the face and is having his injury assessed.

[bobbybingo]

Samsunspor have reportedly made an official approach for Watt.

[Richie]

There's a tweet floating about with a bid from Hanover (€500k) for Fadinger

[MelvinBragg]

Just now, Richie said:

There's a tweet floating about with a bid from Hanover (€500k) for Fadinger

For that fee they can do one...

[Big Stall]

Id be shocked if we accepted anything lile £500k for him. A key part of last seasons midfield, we need him now slattery is gone & vultures looking at watt & just.

Signed a new contract a few weeks ago as well. Couple of mill i reckon he's worth.

[stv]

44 minutes ago, Richie said:

There's a tweet floating about with a bid from Hanover (€500k) for Fadinger

Jog on

[Orinoco]

Apparently a bid of £1.7m was made to Utd for Will Ferry!!

Fadinger is worth way more to us than £500k. Laughable fee. Academy players go for more.

I trust our club to deal with any offers accordingly and that scottish football clubs started to get the fees that are the normal across europe. 

[Richie]

Two bids rejected for Watt, according to Scott Burns.

Both 7 figures.

Will take at least £1.75m for us to even discuss.

[Kmcalpin]

I just wonder, with all these rumoured bids, if target figures are included in individual  contracts. 

[wellfan1996]

54 minutes ago, Kmcalpin said:

I just wonder, with all these rumoured bids, if target figures are included in individual  contracts. 

Not convinced they would be unless its specifically a release clause. Those figures could change drastically over 6 months 

[texanwellfan]

Are we going to have a team left? 

[Kmcalpin]

50 minutes ago, wellfan1996 said:

Not convinced they would be unless its specifically a release clause. Those figures could change drastically over 6 months 

Apologies for the clumsy wording. I meant release clauses. 

[Big Stall]

3 hours ago, Richie said:

Two bids rejected for Watt, according to Scott Burns.

Both 7 figures.

Will take at least £1.75m for us to even discuss.

SUN is saying we value him at £3m

[joewarkfanclub]

2 hours ago, Big Stall said:

SUN is saying we value him at £3m

I would think thats about right.

We wont make as much money as other clubs from players because of the wages we pay, but we no longer need to roll over and take the first offer that comes in.

The remainder of our sellable assets are under contract, so we can extract a little bit more than we would have in the past because we are now on a stable financial footing.

[andalg]

James Furlong is out of contract Still only 24 and did alright with us in previous loan spell Might be a good signing 

[stv]

2 hours ago, andalg said:

James Furlong is out of contract Still only 24 and did alright with us in previous loan spell Might be a good signing 

I liked him with us.

[Wellsince1976]

On 6/27/2026 at 12:23 AM, thewelllfan said:

Maswanhise - Will flag up well in the data and Anderlecht seem to be sniffing about him. Could see us getting 3-4M for him which would be great.

Just - Was comfortably one of the best players in the league had a good world cup and his agent basically came out and said he was gone. Had his breakout season at 26 again we'll cash in at 3-4M.

Watt - Had a great season but again we could be looking at bids of 2-3M and if they come in he'll be sold.

If we play our cards right we could take in £10M in transfer fees which would set the club up for years to come and would help us attract better quality players looking to build their careers.

If they can help us go a couple rounds in Europe before they leave that would be lovely though.

Exactly what I was thinking. If they all go, I doubt we will have as good a season, but as long as we get top 6, I would be delighted with a financially secure club.

[Benson]

1 minute ago, Wellsince1976 said:

Exactly what I was thinking. If they all go, I doubt we will have as good a season, but as long as we get top 6, I would be delighted with a financially secure club.

3 to 4 mill just is a joke,class act,showed up in world cup and scored goals from midfield.

[Wellsince1976]

2 hours ago, andalg said:

James Furlong is out of contract Still only 24 and did alright with us in previous loan spell Might be a good signing 

God, old age and forgetfullness. I can`t remember him at all.

[Wellsince1976]

1 minute ago, Benson said:

3 to 4 mill just is a joke,class act,showed up in world cup and scored goals from midfield.

Sorry, should have said I`m happy if the money is correct and meets our valuation.

[texanwellfan]

8 minutes ago, Benson said:

3 to 4 mill just is a joke,class act,showed up in world cup and scored goals from midfield.

He was playing along side Chris Wood who has moved for 15M 25M and 15M. Just looked way better than Wood. 

[David]

28 minutes ago, Benson said:

3 to 4 mill just is a joke,class act,showed up in world cup and scored goals from midfield.

I think £4 mill is likely the ceiling, we'd do well to get that kind of money. 

Transfer fees aren’t just about how good someone looks in a tournament. They’re about age, contract length, league, buying market, resale value and proven level.

The Chris Wood comparison doesn’t really apply either. Wood moved for those fees because he was a proven Premier League centre-forward, with a rare physical profile and years of goals behind him. Plus, that market is completely different from a wide player coming out of Motherwell, no matter how good Elijah has looked.

I would say that the World Cup absolutely raises his value. No doubt about that. That provides visibility, creates interest and maybe turns a £2m player into a £3m–£4m player if there’s a bit of competition and a bidding war or something.

But £3m–£4m for a 26 year old attacking player from a non-Old Firm Scottish club would already be a very good fee. If he was 20 or 21, with the same performances and bigger resale upside, then I’d agree the number should be a bit higher.

For me, the club should be aiming for a decent guaranteed fee, good add-ons, and a sell-on clause. That’s where we can protect ourselves if he goes on and proves he’s worth far more.

[Ya Bezzer!]

21 minutes ago, David said:

I think £4 mill is likely the ceiling, we'd do well to get that kind of money. 

Transfer fees aren’t just about how good someone looks in a tournament. They’re about age, contract length, league, buying market, resale value and proven level.

I agree with most of what you say except the valuation.

For me Just was the second best player in the league last season after Maeda and more consistent over the whole season.

Plus he's just stood out at a World Cup and scored 3 goals.

I don't think £6M is unreasonable and I'm more conservative than most people in valuations.